Painted Turtle {Chrysemys picta) 



Description: Adult Painted Turtles have a relatively flat dorsal shell, or carapace, the length of 

 which may reach 9" in females and 7" in males. The background color of the shell may be 

 dark brown, olive, or black. A series of short, irregular yellow lines are often scattered across 

 the shell, and a red and black border forms the outer edge. The ventral shell, or plastron, is 

 red with a centrally-located yellow and black blotch with edges flaring out along the border 

 of the scutes. The edge of the plastron also has a series of black and yellow blotches. The 

 head. neck, and legs are marked with yellow lines, and a red spot appears behind the eye. 

 Very dark-colored individuals are occasionally found. Males are distinguished by longer 

 front claws and longer tails, with the anus posterior to the margin of the carapace (Ernst et al. 

 1994). 



Eggs and Young: The elliptical, white, soft-shelled eggs are about 28-35 mm in length and 

 16-23 mm in width (Ernst (?/ a/. 1994). They typically number 6-23 per clutch. Coloration of 

 young Painted Turtles is more vibrant and the shell is not quite as flattened as in adults. 



Similar Species: None. 



Habitat and Habits: Painted Turtles are active during the day and are rarely seen far from ponds, 

 lakes, or the slow-moving water of streams. Painted Turtles observed during this survey 

 were in a pond and reservoir. Adults are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of 

 aquatic plants, but will also scavenge on animal remains. Eggs are usually laid within 10-20 

 feet of the water's edge, although some individuals will travel up to 600 m in search of a 

 suitable site. During egg-laying, the female excavates a hole with her hind feet and deposits 

 the eggs, which are then covered by several inches of dirt. Predation on turtle eggs by 

 raccoons, skunks, etc. is common, and shell fragments are evidence of such activity. Female 

 Painted Turtles may lay more than one clutch of eggs each summer. Young borne of late egg 

 depositions overwinter in the nest and do not emerge until the following spring (Ernst et al. 

 1994). Once females lay their eggs, they return to the pond, where they can often be seen 

 basking on logs or rocks along with juveniles and males. Painted Turtles are sexually mature 

 at 3-5 years of age and may live to be 30 years or older (Ernst et al 1994). 



Surveying: Although various turtle traps can be used for surveys, visual identification is suitable 

 for presence/absence studies since the three turtle species in Montana are easily 

 distinguished. Basking peaks at different times during the day, depending on season and 

 location; in the northern states and Canada it generally peaks in the morning. Surveys should 

 be done on sunny days with a pair of binoculars. During cold or cloudy weather, turtles tend 

 to remain underwater for long periods and can be missed on a walk-through survey. 



Status: Painted Turtles are locally quite common in Montana at lower elevations. They were 

 located at two sites in Slim Buttes on the Sioux-CNF, and an historic record is known from 

 the Long Pines. Visher (1914) said they were "plentiful in streams" in Harding County. 

 There has been some concern about Painted Turtle populations nationally, and whether 

 declines have occurred in Montana is unknown. It should be watched for on the Sioux-CNF, 

 and any animals located should be documented. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program Rank: G5 S5. 



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